Royal Saudi Air Force joins search and rescue drill in Turkiye

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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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The RSAF joined units from several other countries for the international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia at Konya Air Base in Turkiye. (SPA)
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Updated 13 May 2025
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Royal Saudi Air Force joins search and rescue drill in Turkiye

  • Saudi team brought two Cougar search and rescue helicopters, along with full aircrews and technical support
  • 11-day drill focuses on combat search and rescue operations that support broader air missions

RIYADH: The international combat search and rescue exercise Phoenix of Anatolia began on Monday at Turkiye’s Konya Air Base, with the Royal Saudi Air Force joining units from several other countries.

The Saudi team brought two Cougar search and rescue helicopters, along with full aircrews and technical support, according to Lt. Col. Pilot Abdulrahman Al-Mansour, who leads the Saudi contingent.

“Our team includes six air controllers and aims to improve readiness in realistic conditions while exchanging expertise with other forces,” Al-Mansour said.

The 11-day drill focuses on combat search and rescue operations that support broader air missions. One focus is training tactical air control teams to coordinate with allied systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The Saudi delegation arrived last week and was received by Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Gaith, the Kingdom’s military attache in Ankara.


Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

Updated 23 December 2025
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Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat

MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.

The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.

The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.

In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives. 

He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.

He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress. 

Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments. 

The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.